22, July 2025
Connect With Nature in Your Local Park
Nature connectedness is proven to improve not just our own wellbeing, but the wellbeing of the natural world itself. More than just going for a walk outside, it’s about fostering a deep relationship with and appreciation for Nature. Many of us lose our connection to Nature as adults, but it's never too late to rebuild it – and your local park is the perfect place to do just that!
What Is Nature Connectedness?
According to the Nature Connectedness Research Group (NCRG) at the University of Derby:
“Nature connectedness is a measurable psychological construct that moves beyond contact with nature to an individual’s sense of their relationship with the natural world.”
Studies have shown that having a strong connection to Nature can help foster a sense of fulfilment and purpose in life – as well as a desire to protect the natural world. It reminds us that we are part of Nature, not separate from it. Many of us played outside as children, enjoying activities that connected us to the natural world, like collecting conkers and making daisy chains. When we become busy adults, that connection can be lost. But in your local park, you can find it again.
Get Connected
Below are some simple activities you can enjoy in your local park to help develop your connection with Nature. They’re inspired by the NCRG’s Pathways to Nature Connectedness: Senses, Emotions, Meaning, Beauty and Compassion.
Tune In to Nature (Senses)
Find a quiet place to sit. Set a timer for ten minutes, longer if you have time. Close your eyes. Take long, slow breaths. Listen carefully. What can you hear? You might hear human-made sounds: sirens, voices, footsteps. Notice them, but don't pay them too much attention. Listen beyond them for natural noises: wind rustling leaves, birdsong, insects buzzing.
This is an exercise in mindfulness; rather than worrying about the past or the future, you’re focusing on what you can hear in the here and now. Afterwards, note down all the Nature sounds you heard. Now that you've tuned in to Nature, see if you start to notice more of its sounds whenever you're outside.
Look Up (Emotion)
Take a blanket to the park and find a dry place to lie down, or sit on a bench. Look up. What can you see? If it’s the sky, watch the clouds drift by. What shapes do they make? Do any of them look like animals or objects? See if can spot birds flying overhead and think about where they’re flying to, how amazing it is that they can fly. Consider the vastness of the sky and how small we are in comparison.
If it’s the tree canopy you can see, think about how old the trees might be, the way they absorb carbon and clean the air, the sheer number of birds, insects and other creatures that call them home. Experiencing awe is good for our wellbeing, and Nature is truly awe-inspiring, when we take the time to look.
Keep a Tree Journal (Meaning)
You’ll need a notepad and a pencil or pen. Find a favourite tree, ideally deciduous (loses its leaves in autumn). Sketch the tree (you don’t have to be a brilliant artist) and jot down what you observe. Head back to the same spot to draw it once a month. What changes do you notice? Does it flower? Are there nests in the upper branches? What do its seeds look like?
Think about how, like us, the tree adapts to changes in its environment. Consider its roots, supporting it and drawing nutrients from deep underground, and its patterned bark, protecting it. Nature knows what it is doing and is full of metaphors we can apply to our own lives.
Mindful Photography (Beauty)
Set yourself a challenge to take just three photos in the park. One should be of something that impresses you with its colour, one of something with an interesting texture or pattern, and one of something whose shape you’re drawn to.
Everyone knows Nature is beautiful – who doesn’t love a good sunset or a rose in bloom? But by zooming in, we can discover unexpected beauty: iridescent beetles, uniquely-shaped leaves, fascinating fungus. The very act of walking around the park looking for these things can help us feel calmer and place us in the moment.
Make an online diary of your photos, or have them printed out and stick them into a scrapbook. Nature journalling in general is an excellent way to strengthen your connection to the natural world.
Show Nature Some Love! (Compassion)
So, you’re feeling more connected to Nature: hooray! Now, how can you look after it? Many parks host volunteering sessions where you can do your bit and give something back. Litter-picking is a great place to start – and can be more fun and more mindful than you might think. Other activities might include gardening, monitoring wildlife, helping to manage invasive plants and building bird and bat boxes.
Lots of parks have a dedicated ‘friends of’ group – who wouldn’t want to make friends with their favourite green space?! Search online to find out just what you can do to nurture Nature in a park near you.
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